Church has been seen as a very strict and religious place since the first century AD. Recently, many changes have come to churches, making kids more interested in the lessons. Sunday morning church has been looked at as a two hour service where families sit and listen to a lecture on their religion. The new types of worship are making younger generations want to be in church.
While church overall has one meaning, there are newer ways that are being used to persuade kids to get educated on their religions. Youth ministry or youth groups are groups of kids aged 12-18 who normally attend later in the evening. Most of these groups have activities and food to keep the kids involved and learning about the specific religion they are attending. Those things such as snacks, games, sports, and other activities are being provided at certain churches. Another thing that is getting teens to attend and get more involved in church is that they can go with friends. The youth groups especially give opportunity for people to see their friends while worshiping.
While some people may not like these changes, the amount of people regularly attending church has shot through the roof. Traditions brought up by traditional churches can be continued and even built upon by teens attending youth groups. While youth groups and megachurches get the numbers there, are members staying actively involved? The question is good considering people might feel like a drop of water in the ocean. In local youth groups, teens can be seen worshiping through karaoke, small groups, team sports, etc. Most teens involved in youth groups also continue their worship through social media, school clubs, and studying passages related to their religion.
One major stigma that has been broken through the changes is the topic of mental health. In the past, churches have ignored the topic and even rejected members bringing it up. However, over time, it has become a more sought-after subject. Mental illness has become a topic most of the younger generations are educated in, and using religion to cope with these forms of illness can help people overcome their worries. Studies from Anthem of Hope show 53% of churchgoers with mental illness say the church has been supportive. Many people lean on religion as a form of coping because it gives them ways of understanding their experiences. Turning to these explanations brings comfort to many Americans; therefore, more people have turned to attending church.
Another method of gaining attendance in churches are megachurches. These are churches with a large membership base, and have become more popular in the United States. While most are Protestant, according to Britannica, other religions are starting to quickly adapt to this form of religious education. Gateway Church is the largest megachurch in America with an average weekly attendance of 100,000. It is a non-denominational, evangelical Christian multi-site megachurch which is based in Southlake, Texas. These megachurches are very popular among gen z because you can bring a friend or maybe even walk out with a new one.
Another thing to keep in mind is having fewer people can give opportunities to get to know each other better than when it looks like a crowded stadium. While some love the megachurch idea, some may be more traditional and want less people surrounding them, however online live streams are another form of worship some megachurches offer. This allows the people who want to avoid being in large crows to have the same worship opportunities as members who don’t mind it as much.
It’s heartwarming to see young and old generations get more involved in church. Bringing friends and family into the church after quarantine can really help mend relationships around belief.
